Strong day of field events at U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Nationals

SAN MATEO, Calif. – The field events stole the show with strong performances by world record-holders in three different events on the second day of competition at the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships at the College of San Mateo.

Three-time Paralympic champion and F44 world record-holder Jeremy Campbell (Edmond, Oklahoma) defended his national title in the discus. After getting off to a rocky start with his first two throws, Campbell came back to take the lead and send the discus flying 55.68m/182-08 on his fourth attempt.

“The conditions were perfect today, but I struggled with my timing,” Campbell said. “I was thinking too much and analyzing too much, and I don’t need to because I’ve trained my body to do this. My first throw that I did get, I went back to a drill start. It was nice to be able to gain my composure and win another national championship.”

World record-holders Lex Gillette (Chula Vista, California) and Jeff Skiba (Chula Vista, California) contended with shifting winds in the long jump and high jump, respectively. In the T44 high jump, Skiba passed through the opening heights and took one attempt at 1.95m/6-4.75 to secure his national title. In the F11 long jump, Gillette won in 6.40m/21-00.

It was a family affair in the women’s T54 100-meter final, with Tatyana and Hannah McFadden of Clarksville, Maryland taking first and second. Tatyana crossed the line in 16.95 seconds, with Hannah taking second in 18.06.

“The 100 went really well,” Tatyana said. “I got under 17-seconds, which was good for having to race into a straight headwind. It was my first sprint race back on the track, and it was great to compete with Hannah. The 100 is the same race we had together in London, so it was a lot of fun.”

After taking second in yesterday’s 200m, Jarryd Wallace (Athens, Georgia) won the men’s T43/44 100 in 11.37 while running into a slight headwind. Two days ago Wallace spent the afternoon with 11-year-old Amit Vigoda (Richmond, California) for a mentor visit after recently having his leg amputated. Vigoda was in the stands to watch Wallace’s race and presented him with his gold medal.

Competition concludes with a final morning session tomorrow, Sunday, June 22 at the College of San Mateo track & field stadium. The championships are being hosted in cooperation with USA Track & Field Pacific Association, the College of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.